Comments on: Easter 2: The Secret Room

By: Jan Richardson

Jan Richardson — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:10:13 +0000

A belated thanks for all these lovely comments–I’m sorry not to have managed to respond at the time but am so grateful for your words and thoughts and responses. Thank you!

By: Susan Halvor

Susan Halvor — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:10:40 +0000

Thank you so much for the invitation to reflect on secret rooms … a couple opened up for me this past week at clergy and church gatherings, in ways that are helping me understand my journey better. I’ll keep a look out, tapping on walls and pulling away books. Blessings in your new ventures!

By: Sue Powers

Sue Powers — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:13:35 +0000

Jan, I loved the imagery in your writing about secret rooms. I have acquired an imaginary secret room. I find myself mentally playing back the green roadside scenery from our recent trip to Wakulla Springs like some kind of peaceful screen saver. It smooths out the noise and stress of everyday busy-ness now and leads me into calmly pondering instead of fretting. Now I will plan some more getaways from noise and details and find some more secret rooms with peace and stillness. Thanks for helping me bring that to the front window.

By: Martha Louise

Martha Louise — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 12:07:34 +0000

Dear Jan, I found two “secret rooms” during Lent. One was the actual body, the crucifix on the cross. Growing up a Presbyterian and then becoming a Presbyterian minister, I never really focused on the cross with the body of Christ on it. This year I meditated on it daily, and was profoundly moved by it, moved into the darkness of it vis a vie my own struggle with depression. The book “Listening at Golgotha” was also a secret room for me during Lent. Your charcoal drawings touched me deeply. I left the book at our church’s silent Maundy Thursday night vigil in our chapel (the vigil continues right up to the Good Friday service) and was told how meaningful it was for others who read it at that time, too. For me, your weekly posts are “secret doors.” Many thanks!

By: Painter ofblue

Painter ofblue — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:46:16 +0000

Gorgeous painting!

By: Faith

Faith — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:54:25 +0000

I’ve been struck in recent years by the absence of scripture that describes Thomas actually touching Jesus — putting his finger in the nail holes and his hand into the sword wound. Perhaps Jesus honoring his doubt (he may not approve, but he believes that Thomas doubts) and the invitation for him to enter is enough for Thomas. I know of the rooms you speak. I’ve encountered many in my journey; some sacred spaces of hospitality and others more like crucibles of formation. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

By: Karen Williams

Karen Williams — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:46:50 +0000

Wow! This one is awesome. I certainly have had some secret rooms in my journey. Thanks!

By: Cindy Weber

Cindy Weber — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:01:12 +0000

Oh, Jan, this is such a lovely reflection!